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Two Brāhmans worshipping Śiva Bas-relief, Phnom Rung Temple, Thailand, 10th to 13th century. CopyrightŠApsara
The stone-hewn bas-relief of two brāhman
sādhus (ascetics) joyfully worshipping the Hindu god Śiva bears
testament to early Thailand's affinity with the religious culture of India.
The two bearded sādhus wear only loincloths. Their hair is tied in a
topknot. They sit on the ground in a casual manner and lean back to back
against a low decorative pillar. Each of them holds in their two joined
hands a chilum, or ritual clay pipe, as they perform the
quintessential Vedic rite of honouring Śiva
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